Best Homeowner Warranty Companies in 2026: 8 Companies Compared
By ToolNimba Editorial Team November 9, 2026 9 min read
- Top pick
American Home ShieldHigh HVAC caps
Starting price$29.99 per monthCheck out American Home ShieldRead our review - Runner-up
Choice Home WarrantyConsistent national pricing
Starting price$49.17 per monthCheck out Choice Home WarrantyRead our review - Also great
First American Home WarrantyNo total term cap
Starting priceSee websiteCheck out First American Home WarrantyRead our review
How we researched this
We compared official pricing and feature pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public user reviews. Prices change, so check the provider's site before you pay.
Key takeaways
- American Home Shield offers the highest HVAC cap in this list, at $5,000 per covered system.
- Choice Home Warranty gives the same price in every ZIP code, which simplifies comparison.
- First American stands out for plans with no total term cap, but it is not sold in every state.
- Service fees, coverage caps, and waiting periods matter more than the monthly price alone.
- Read the sample contract before buying, because exclusions and caps vary by plan and state.
Quick comparison
| Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High HVAC caps | $29.99 per month | No | Visit | |
| Consistent national pricing | $49.17 per month | No | Visit | |
| No total term cap | See website | No | Visit | |
| High term limits | See website | No | Visit | |
| Low service fee choice | $60 per month | No | Visit | |
| Available in all 50 states | See website | No | Visit | |
| Roof leak coverage included | See website | No | Visit | |
| Low service fee | See website | No | Visit |
The best homeowner warranty companies
A home warranty is a service contract, not homeowners insurance. It covers breakdowns from normal wear and tear on systems and appliances, while insurance covers sudden damage such as fire or theft. Prices below are national averages or published starting prices, and actual quotes vary by ZIP code, home size, and service fee choice. Check the contract for your state before you pay.

American Home Shield offers three plans, ShieldSilver for systems, ShieldGold for systems plus appliances, and ShieldPlatinum for systems, appliances, and limited roof leak coverage. Its $5,000 cap per HVAC system is higher than most rivals, which matters because heating and cooling replacement is often the largest warranty claim. Coverage does not require an inspection or maintenance records, and undetected pre-existing faults are not automatically excluded.
Pricing is the main drawback. Quotes vary by ZIP code, sometimes by up to $30 within the same city, and you must share an address to see an exact price. The service fee, commonly $100 or $125 per visit, applies even if a claim is denied. For older homes with ageing HVAC, however, the higher cap can outweigh those limits.
- $5,000 HVAC cap per system on all plans
- No inspection or maintenance records required
- Large contractor network
- Monthly price varies by ZIP code
- Service fee is charged even if a claim is denied

Choice Home Warranty keeps choice simple with a Basic plan and a Total plan, covering systems and appliances in one package. Its national average monthly cost is about $60 for Basic and $68 for Total in recent comparisons, with a range of $49.17 to $57.50 in other quote samples. The same price applies regardless of location, which makes budgeting easier than with ZIP-based pricing.
Limits include a $3,000 cap per item and a $100 service fee with no lower-fee option. It is also not sold in Washington, and some items sold as add-ons elsewhere, such as sump pumps, are add-ons here. For buyers who want predictable pricing and a simple plan choice, Choice is still a strong option.
- Same price regardless of ZIP code
- Two simple plans
- Annual payment option
- Not sold in Washington
- $3,000 cap per item
- Only one service fee option
First American offers three combo plans covering systems and appliances, with a notable advantage on some plans: no total cap for the agreement term. That removes the $50,000 term limit found on some rivals and can matter for homes with several large claims. It is also a familiar name in home sales, where warranties are often included at closing.
Availability is the main limit, because First American is not sold in 14 states, so many buyers cannot choose it at all. Pricing is quote-based and varies by location, and a waiting period applies to many new customers. If it is sold in your state and you want high term limits, it deserves a quote.
- No total cap on some plans
- Three plan tiers
- Long history in real estate transactions
- Not sold in 14 states
- Quote pricing varies
- Waiting period applies to many new customers
Cinch Home Services offers three combo plans covering systems and appliances, with a reported term limit of $10,000 in recent comparisons. That structure suits homeowners who want a single combined plan without choosing separate systems and appliance tiers. Add-ons cover items such as pools, spas, and well pumps for homes that need them.
The service fee can reach $150 depending on the plan chosen, which is higher than the $100 fee at several rivals. Pricing is also quote-based, so the monthly cost depends on location and home details. Homeowners should compare the total of monthly price plus service fee, not just the monthly figure.
- $10,000 term limit reported in comparisons
- Three combo plans
- Broad coverage options
- Service fee ranges from $100 to $150
- Pricing is quote-based
Select Home Warranty offers separate plans for appliances, systems, or a combination, which helps buyers who only need one type of coverage. Monthly prices of about $60 to $64 before discounts have been reported, and buyers can choose a service fee from $65 to $200, trading a higher visit fee for a lower monthly price. That flexibility is useful for homeowners who rarely claim.
Caps are tighter than at American Home Shield or First American, with a reported $3,000 HVAC cap and $500 appliance cap in some comparisons. That means a large appliance replacement may not be fully covered. Buyers should check the cap for each item they care about most before choosing Select on price alone.
- Service fee choice from $65 to $200
- Separate appliance, systems, and combo plans
- Broad add-ons
- Appliance cap of $500 reported in comparisons
- HVAC cap of $3,000
- Claim experience varies
Liberty Home Guard is one of the few home warranty companies sold in all 50 states, which makes it a fallback for buyers in states where other firms do not operate. It offers appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plans, plus add-ons for pools, spas, and other items. That availability alone makes it worth a quote for many homeowners.
The reported $2,000 cap per item is lower than at several rivals, so large system replacements may leave a gap. Pricing is quote-based, so the monthly cost and service fee appear only after a quote request. For buyers who value nationwide availability, Liberty is a practical choice, but cap limits need a close read.
- Sold in all 50 states
- Appliance, systems, or combo plans
- Service fee set in the quote
- $2,000 cap per item reported
- Pricing is quote-based and varies
AFC Home Club offers four plans covering appliances, systems, or a combination, and roof leak coverage is included in all plans at no extra cost, capped at $250 a year. Service fees range from $75 to $125, giving buyers a choice between monthly price and visit cost. That roof leak inclusion is unusual and useful for homeowners worried about minor roof leaks.
Caps are a concern. A sample contract review found most systems coverage capped between $150 and $500, with appliance caps from $150 to $3,000 depending on the item. Availability is also limited, with no sales in California, Hawaii, or Washington. AFC suits buyers who value roof leak cover and low service fees, provided the caps fit their home.
- Roof leak coverage included in all plans
- Four plan tiers
- Service fee choice from $75 to $125
- Not sold in California, Hawaii, or Washington
- Many system caps are $150 to $500

Americas Preferred Home Warranty
Best for: Low service fee
Americas Preferred Home Warranty offers a single combo plan covering systems and appliances, which keeps the decision simple. Its service fee of $50 or $100 is lower than the $100 to $150 range at many rivals, so each claim visit costs less out of pocket. That low visit cost appeals to homeowners who expect to claim more than once.
Caps are lower, with a reported $2,250 cap for heating or cooling, well below American Home Shield's $5,000 HVAC cap. The waiting period appears on the confirmation page, so buyers should note it before the first claim. For homes with newer systems and a desire for low visit fees, it is a reasonable budget option.
- Service fee of $50 or $100
- One simple combo plan
- Heating and cooling coverage included
- Heating or cooling cap of $2,250 reported
- Waiting period shown on confirmation page
- Availability varies
How we picked these
We compared published plan prices, service fees, coverage caps, availability, and contract terms from vendor pages and recent independent comparisons. We favoured companies with broad availability, clear plan tiers, and published caps, and we noted where pricing is quote-based. We did not claim hands-on testing, and we stressed that a home warranty is not insurance.
How to choose a home warranty without regret
Start with the items most likely to fail in your home, usually HVAC, water heater, and major appliances, then check the cap for each one. A low monthly price with a $500 appliance cap may cost more in the end than a higher price with a $4,000 cap. Also check the waiting period, which is often 30 days, and whether the company lets you choose your own technician.
Compare the total cost, not just the monthly price
Add the monthly price times 12, plus the service fee times the number of claims you expect. A plan at $50 a month with a $125 fee costs $725 a year with one claim, while a plan at $65 a month with a $65 fee costs $845 with one claim but $910 with two. The cheaper monthly plan is not always cheaper overall.
Read exclusions before you buy
Common exclusions include pre-existing conditions, improper maintenance, cosmetic damage, and items still under a manufacturer warranty. Some contracts also exclude access costs, haul-away, and code upgrades. If an exclusion covers the exact failure you fear most, that plan is the wrong plan for you.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Is a home warranty the same as homeowners insurance?
No. A home warranty is a service contract covering breakdowns from normal wear and tear. Homeowners insurance covers sudden damage such as fire, wind, and theft, plus liability. Most homeowners need insurance regardless of whether they buy a warranty.
How much does a home warranty cost?
National averages are about $56 a month, or $672 a year, with most plans ranging from about $30 to $120 a month depending on plan and location. You also pay a service fee of roughly $65 to $150 per claim visit. Always get a quote for your ZIP code and home.
What does a home warranty not cover?
Common exclusions include pre-existing conditions, routine maintenance, cosmetic damage, and failures caused by misuse. Many plans cap payouts per item and per term, and some do not cover access, permits, or code upgrades. Read the sample contract for the exact exclusions.
How long is the waiting period for a home warranty?
Most plans have a 30-day waiting period after purchase before you can file a claim, although plans bought with a home sale often start at closing. Check your contract for the exact waiting period, because claims filed during it are usually denied.
Which home warranty company is best?
American Home Shield suits homes with ageing HVAC because of its $5,000 per-system cap. Choice suits buyers who want consistent national pricing. First American suits buyers in its service states who want no total term cap. The best choice depends on your home, state, and the items you most want covered.



